FOR artist Emma Davies, the enchanting beauty of the Mornington Peninsula is not just a backdrop; it’s a wellspring of inspiration that helps create her creations. The Frankston South resident uses material like bird net, baler twine and things in her garden as well as acrylic paint and other materials to form intricate textiles.
“I think one of the reasons why I do work with these sorts of materials is because you can work with it instantly, unlike a medium like clay or something where you’ve got to wait for it to dry and fire it and stuff like that,” she said. “The materials are transformed into something that ends up looking quite sort of organic and earthy”.
Twelve of her pieces are now being showcased at the Kelli Lundberg Art gallery at 545 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Moorooduc, in an exhibition called Ethereal Threads, which will run until October 13.
Emma, who began experimenting with shape, form and texture 30 years ago after undertaking a printmaking course in Milan in 1993, expressed her excitement for the exhibition. “It’s great; it’s been pretty intense making the works and I am excited because I’m happy with it and I’m getting really great feedback,” Emma told The News. But she was quick to note that her work is not a fast process as “there’s thousands and thousands of dots which I create by melting the end of the twine and pressing the twine into a netting”. “It challenges you and pushes you into new areas and experimenting with different things, so I like that part of it; I’m happy with the show.”
Emma, whose pieces can be seen throughout Australia and overseas in commercial buildings, said she was fortunate to live in a mud brick house which provided great inspiration. “When I make the work, there’s not really a plan. Everything transforms when you start making it.”
First published in the Mornington News – 24 September 2024